Senate approves Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Yesterday, the Senate passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by a 69-30 vote.

The landmark legislation would provide $1.2 trillion over eight years for transportation infrastructure improvements, including $550 billion in new funding and the Senate’s five-year surface transportation reauthorization measure.

The bill proposes nearly $845 million per year for grade crossing safety and improvement projects and an average of $5.5 billion per year for discretionary infrastructure grant programs, including $1 billion annually for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement grant program. In addition, the legislation would enhance the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing program, and provide significant funding for intercity passenger-rail needs as well as research, development and demonstration projects addressing greenhouse-gas emissions and climate change.

Now, many rail industry constituents are calling for swift action in the House to hasten enactment of the bill. Following are portions of statements issued by various stakeholders after the favorable Senate vote.

“Throughout this year’s infrastructure conversations, the Senate has remained clear-eyed and committed to building consensus around a package that could help pave the way to future economic growth. Railroads applaud the Senate and the Biden administration on their leadership.” — Association of American Railroads President and Chief Executive Officer Ian Jefferies

“The Senate passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is the culmination of many months of measured consideration and bipartisan work to provide a certain path forward on improving infrastructure, ensuring economic recovery and U.S. supply chain competitiveness. The bill recognizes small business freight railroads as an integral and essential piece of the freight-rail network. We commend the Senate for advancing this bold, bipartisan bill — and for avoiding needless policy mandates that would hinder our ability to serve the industries that rely on us.” — American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association President Chuck Baker

“The bill allows for five years of funding stability for highway, transit and passenger-rail programs, with a large share of the Highway Trust Fund support provided directly to the state departments of transportation that keep our communities moving safely and efficiently. We look forward to working with Congress and President Biden to get this enacted before the FAST Act expires at the end of September.” — American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Executive Director Jim Tymon

“The legislation prioritizes our nation’s economic competitiveness in the global marketplace by increasing the level of investment in multimodal freight infrastructure and strengthening the policy and programming that guides those investments. The proposal establishes an Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy within the U.S. Department of Transportation to guide national multimodal freight planning and better inform system-wide programming. The Freight Office will oversee freight planning activities at the national and state level and manage the administration of multimodal grant programs.” — Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors Executive Director Elaine Nessle

“Let’s be clear—this legislation is the start, not the end, of our work to meet this moment for our nation. We need our upcoming budget to make bold, transformational investments that can kickstart our economy, strengthen our communities and support our families. I’ll be working to seize this opportunity to tackle the climate crisis, advance environmental justice and build a brighter future for all Americans.” — U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), who chairs the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works